Billy McGolf
Mini-Putt Return
to Massachusetts
page
(781) 326-9616
Price: $7.50 (2010
price)
Par: 47 Other
Activities: Driving Range, Snack
Bar
2003 Ratings 2010
Ratings
Difficulty: 6 Difficulty: 6
Creativity: 5 Creativity: 5
Atmosphere: 9 Atmosphere: 8
You really don’t know what to expect from this course upon first sight because you can see so little of it from the parking lot. The first thing you do see though is the sticker price, which is a little on the pricey side for the course. The course is very nice and all, but doesn’t have the glitz and glamour of the more costly courses we’ve played (although the replay is a mere $3.00). The overall course is in good shape and the landscaping is excellent. Everything on the course (the obstacles, sides, walkways) is made of different types of stone which gives it a very nice look and isn’t apt to easy wear and tear (although can provide for a funky bounce or two). They also have very nice stone pillars that give the hole information (number and par).
The reason you can’t see much of the course from the beginning is that it is incredibly spread out, which provided a lot of space for the players. It also doesn’t allow you to see more than a hole or two ahead of you, which leads to some pleasant surprises. The course summits at the top of the 14th hole, which has an observation deck to look down on the rest of the course. The 14th hole itself is a very long, all downhill hole- just tap the ball and hope for some good bounces. The overall course offers a few challenges matched with a few shorter, less complex holes and most players will find themselves within a few strokes of par even if they do get a couple fours and fives. Unfortunately, with the entire construction revolving around the stonework, there leaves little room for great creativity. We did see a couple of unique holes (which tended to be the more challenging) but like above they were balanced by just as mainly plain and simple holes.
One of the more interesting features of the course has nothing to do with the golf at all. Towards the entrance to the course there is a large pond which is the home to several different types of koi fish (sort of like giant, multicolored goldfish). There is a sign at the beginning of the course which explains the different types of fish and for fifty cents you can get about a half a Dixie cup full of fish food to feed the fish. We’ve seen this on one of the other courses we’ve played and it’s a really good way to pass the time while waiting for your turn to start. This course also utilizes a free game format that we’ve seen on another course. Your chance to win a free game is by dropping your ball into a “Plinko” (from the Price Is Right) style ball return. Although this is nifty, we’d rather enjoy the challenge of getting a hole in one on a bonus hole to win a free game. However, that’s probably the worst knock we can find on this course (except for the fact that the bathrooms are all the way on the other end of the parking lot) so don’t let that stop you from going on out to this course and having a good time. We think you won’t be disappointed.
2010 Update
After seven years we had a chance to replay this course. As you can see from the scores, not much has changed in our overall review of the course. If you are looking for a crazy obstacle course this is not one, but it does have a very nice selection of adventure style holes. However, as noted above there is little mix in the creativity of the holes, with a few exceptions. While many are short, their seemingly easy putts can be tricky with a variety of breaks that one can’t see on the first putt. The speed tends to be very fast but you can adjust for it after the first few holes. The last few holes of the course (from 14 on) tend to be longer and bit more difficult, raising the overall difficulty score of the course. The course continues to have nice landscaping and we enjoy the space on the course, allowing separation from other groups. We also like the granite that is used to line all the holes. While it doesn’t have as true a bounce as regular brick, its close enough and gives the course a different look compared to other adventure style courses. Our recommendation again would be to give this course a play if you are in the area.
Reviewed by: Pat, Mandy and Putt
Reviewed in: 2003 & 2010
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Course Pictures (click to enlarge)
2010 Pictures
Map
Price:
$6.75
Par: 47 Other Activities: Driving Range, Snack Bar
Difficulty: 8
Creativity: 7
Atmosphere: 6
I like windmills as much as the next
guy but I also like different problems too. Terrain is the main enemy here.
There are 3 straight holes - that I am happy to get
within 4 feet of with my tee shot - those are the breaks. Also, this course is
fast, fast fast so if you don't look out your 3
footer for a two turns into a six footer for a three.
If you break par on this course you've shot a good round. It is our closest to
home course and we always find it challenging.
Reviewed by: Alex
Reviewed in: 2009
Price:
$6.75
Par: 47 Other Activities: Driving Range, Snack Bar
Difficulty: 1
Creativity: 2
Atmosphere: 4
To me, Mini Golf should be about the
ability to get a hole in one while navigating fun, creative, and often moving
obstacles. This course did not meet any of these requirements.
McGolf is an 18 hole course
laid out over a lot of land next to the driving range, and with a large
waterfall koi pond in the middle. Though aesthetically pleasing, I could do
without all of the scenery, and the trees/shrubs along the greens (as well as
the giant pond) provide plenty of mosquitoes.
The holes themselves are built on concrete with a thin carpet-type padding that
makes them play fast. There are hardly any obstacles and most holes play like
actual greens on a real golf course. I was the only person in my party to get a
hole in one and I think it was more luck than anything. There are a couple of
holes with a large pipe to hit through, or a one foot drop, but mostly they are
either flat or have some sort of raised surface to hit around/over. The greens
were mostly littered with debris from nearby mulch and brush.
The final nail in the coffin were the
"motion-sensitive" overhead lights which would turn off
intermittently and leave you playing in the dark.
Reviewed by: SM
Reviewed in: 2009
Price:
$6.75
Par: 47 Other Activities: Driving Range, Snack Bar
Difficulty: 5
Creativity: 2
Atmosphere: 6
The first mini-golf course I've played in
Reviewed by: Anonymous
Reviewed in: 2007
Price:
$6.75
Par: 47 Other Activities: Driving Range, Snack Bar
Difficulty: 4
Creativity: 1
Atmosphere: 6
Total lack of
creativity here. I could have
taken off my shoe, put it three feet in front of the hole, and that would have
been a more creative shot than some of the five or so holes that were simply
straight shots to the hole. Others added
a hill or a rock here or there. The best
part was beating my friend to win a free ice cream. That barely made up for the $6.75.
Reviewed by: Anonymous
Reviewed in: 2006
Price: $6.75
Par: 47 Other Activities: Driving Range, Snack Bar
Difficulty: 2
Creativity: 2
Atmosphere: 5
We went here last weekend on a
little Friday night group outing. I'd have to say we were very disappointed by
the lack of creativity and design to the course. There was no difficulty and as
far as mini golf courses go for us, this was also overpriced. We won't be
returning. We're trying out
Reviewed by: longroadhomerescue@yahoo.com
Reviewed in: 2006
Price:
$6.75
Par: 47 Other Activities: Driving Range, Snack Bar
Difficulty: 1
Creativity: 1
Atmosphere: 1
This course is about as difficult as
the practice putting greens at golf courses.
Almost every single hole is a straight shot to the hole which is simple
if you are decent at golf. You maybe
have to bounce your ball off something in 1 of the holes but almost every other
one is a straight shot. I won that plinko game at the end and won a free game but decided to
throw it out. I would not play this
mini-golf course even if it is for free.
Reviewed by: Anonymous
Reviewed in: 2006
Price:
$6.75
Par: 47 Other Activities: Driving Range, Snack Bar
Difficulty: 6
Creativity: 4
Atmosphere: 8
Cool Course, with a nice touch of
stones and artificial grass. It isn't
very flashy, but none the less, is a whole lot of fun.
Reviewed by: Bob Bobalu Bobinson McBobenheimer
Reviewed in: 2005
Price:
$6.75
Par: 47 Other Activities: Driving Range, Snack Bar
Difficulty: 6
Creativity: 9
Atmosphere: 10
This course is so scenic and pleasant. They have
a pond full of Japanese koi which you can feed, and a waterfall. There is a
practice green. Most of the holes involve little stone walls and obstacles.
Three have tunnels to go through. It was my 1st time, but for a par 47, 55 isn't too shabby. There is also a nice driving range and a
snack bar.
Reviewed by: Nomar Rules!
Reviewed in 2005